Upgrade was discussed at death crash crossing

Beech Hill Crossing, Misson north Nottinghamshire where a car crashed in to a train ' See Story Martin Slack Picture Chris Lawton '04 December 2012

A LEVEL crossing where youngster Emma Lifsey suffered fatal injuries had been considered for safety improvements, a report has revealed.

Little Emma, aged four, died after the car she was in was struck by a train at Beech Hill level crossing at Misson Springs.

A 2011 report by rail operator Network Rail has revealed the crossing had been earmarked to have its half-barriers replaced with full barriers from April next year.

However, later consultations saw the plan – part of a massive upgrade to the Doncaster to Peterborough line – dropped.

Emma, of Haxey, died on Wednesday in Sheffield Children’s Hospital after a Volvo, driven by a 67-year-old woman, collided with a single carriage East Midlands Trains service between Westwoodside and Finningley at 12.30pm on Tuesday.

Network Rail’s route managing director Phil Verster, said: “At this sad time, Network Rail’s thoughts are with the family of Emma Lifsey. We are all trying to understand what happened and we are working closely with the investigating authorities.

“We are upgrading the line to allow more trains to run. The Beech Hill level crossing is on this line and, working closely with the Office of Rail Regulation, all the risks such as the number of road vehicles and the speed and frequency of trains were considered.

“This process concluded that Beech Hill’s present automatic half barrier design and its method of operation is appropriate for both current and future requirements and that no change from the existing design is required. “We are satisfied that these decisions are systematic, structured and in accordance with established railway industry guidance on level crossing safety.”